RELATED SEARCHES
Sponsored Laser Hair Removal Results:
Laser Hair Removal
By:
Published: September 27, 2006
The process of laser hair removal has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 1995. However, the first attempts at laser hair removal, insufficiently tested and non-approved, occured as early as the mid 1960s. The process was imperfect due to poor laser beam control and
ineffectiveness to remove hair. Plus the poor design of the laser removal instrument made the process tedious as well as difficult to control the laser probes.
Laser hair removal is done by aiming laser light set at a specific wavelength to the hair pigment. This causes damage to the hair follicles but keeps the surrounding tissue safe. The duration and amount of hair reduction varies from patient to patient, although some patients experience permanent hair reduction.
Although the first laser hair removal technique was approved by the FDA in 1995, Andrea James' article on hair removal methods states that all laser hair removal procedures from the 1960s forward, including those approved by the FDA were "rushed to market without adequate testing of effectiveness."
One of the examples that James writes about is the SoftLight hair removal system by ThermoLase. Again, SoftLight was rushed to market without enough testing. "The device was sold to physicians and treatments were offered in a chain of proprietary clinics called Spa Thira, primarily in affluent communities. Consumers basically paid to be guinea pigs. By the time a medical paper appeared in 1997 which observed full regrowth of all hair, consumers had already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on treatments. They quickly shifted their marketing strategy away from permanent hair removal to a 'hair-management strategy,' but word was beginning to get out."
After a 1998 class action lawsuit, ThermoLase settled out of court. In 1999, the company began selling or closing their hair removal spas. ThermoLase folded back into their parent company in 2000 and has stopped selling and marketing the SoftLight hair removal device.
The Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) of the Food and Drug Administration attribute the approval of laser hair removal without adequate testing to a growing hair removal market.
"The market is growing so quickly that FDA cannot maintain an up-to-date list of all laser manufacturers whose devices have been cleared for hair removal, as this list continues to change."
Furthermore, the CDRH keeps a database on their website of hair removal manufacturers who have received FDA clearance. Website visitors need to know either the name of the manufacturer or the name of the hair removal device. The CDRH also has an 800 number, a fax number and email address for more information.
Lastly, the FDA stresses that hair removal companies cannot claim their hair removal devices are painless or offers permanent hair removal unless the FDA is proved otherwise. There is a difference between "permanent reduction" and "permanent removal."
Dr. Harvey H. Jay, M.D., a Dermatologist with a practice in Manhatten, New York, describes the five different types of lasers for hair removal. The most useful laser for hair removal is the Ultimate Light, also known as Pulsed Light. This laser treats unwanted hair in all skin colors. The second best laser is
the Diode Laser. With a wavelength from 800 to 810 nanometers, it is considered byDr. Jay to be "the most promising laser for hair removal." While it is "capable of treating all six skin colors," the Yag laser, third on the list of effective lasers with a wavelength of 1064 nm, has not shown sufficient evidence of long-term hair removal. Fourth and fifth on the list respectively are the Ruby laser at 694 nm and the Alexandrite laser at 755 nm. Both lasers are not recommended by Dr. Jay in treating darker skinned patients. Only very light skin is recommended.
In the end, do plenty of research about the different types of lasers, which ones have FDA approval, which facilities are operating within FDA guidelines, etc. An informed decision is a good decision.
James, Andrea. Hair Removal Methods: Laser Hair Removal Overview." Hairfacts.com. August 21, 2001. Stephen Barrett, MD. Quackwatch.org. Updated September 23, 2006. September 27, 2006.
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopic s/Hair/lasermain.html
James, Andrea. Hair Removal Methods: Laser History and Current Issues." Hairfacts.com. August 21, 2001. Stephen Barrett, MD. Quackwatch.org. Updated September 23, 2006. September 25, 2006. http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/ Hair/laserhistory.html
CDRH Consumer Information. "Laser Facts." Center for Devices and Radiological Health. May 17, 2002. Food and Drug Administration. September 26, 2006. http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/laserfacts.html
Jay, Harvey H. "5 Methods of Hair Removal." Laser Hair Removal Review. October 20, 2003. Copyright 2003. Harvey H. Jay, M.D. September 26, 2006. http://www.laserhairremovalreview.com/5methods.htm l
ineffectiveness to remove hair. Plus the poor design of the laser removal instrument made the process tedious as well as difficult to control the laser probes.
Laser hair removal is done by aiming laser light set at a specific wavelength to the hair pigment. This causes damage to the hair follicles but keeps the surrounding tissue safe. The duration and amount of hair reduction varies from patient to patient, although some patients experience permanent hair reduction.
Although the first laser hair removal technique was approved by the FDA in 1995, Andrea James' article on hair removal methods states that all laser hair removal procedures from the 1960s forward, including those approved by the FDA were "rushed to market without adequate testing of effectiveness."
One of the examples that James writes about is the SoftLight hair removal system by ThermoLase. Again, SoftLight was rushed to market without enough testing. "The device was sold to physicians and treatments were offered in a chain of proprietary clinics called Spa Thira, primarily in affluent communities. Consumers basically paid to be guinea pigs. By the time a medical paper appeared in 1997 which observed full regrowth of all hair, consumers had already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on treatments. They quickly shifted their marketing strategy away from permanent hair removal to a 'hair-management strategy,' but word was beginning to get out."
After a 1998 class action lawsuit, ThermoLase settled out of court. In 1999, the company began selling or closing their hair removal spas. ThermoLase folded back into their parent company in 2000 and has stopped selling and marketing the SoftLight hair removal device.
The Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) of the Food and Drug Administration attribute the approval of laser hair removal without adequate testing to a growing hair removal market.
"The market is growing so quickly that FDA cannot maintain an up-to-date list of all laser manufacturers whose devices have been cleared for hair removal, as this list continues to change."
Furthermore, the CDRH keeps a database on their website of hair removal manufacturers who have received FDA clearance. Website visitors need to know either the name of the manufacturer or the name of the hair removal device. The CDRH also has an 800 number, a fax number and email address for more information.
Lastly, the FDA stresses that hair removal companies cannot claim their hair removal devices are painless or offers permanent hair removal unless the FDA is proved otherwise. There is a difference between "permanent reduction" and "permanent removal."
Dr. Harvey H. Jay, M.D., a Dermatologist with a practice in Manhatten, New York, describes the five different types of lasers for hair removal. The most useful laser for hair removal is the Ultimate Light, also known as Pulsed Light. This laser treats unwanted hair in all skin colors. The second best laser is
the Diode Laser. With a wavelength from 800 to 810 nanometers, it is considered byDr. Jay to be "the most promising laser for hair removal." While it is "capable of treating all six skin colors," the Yag laser, third on the list of effective lasers with a wavelength of 1064 nm, has not shown sufficient evidence of long-term hair removal. Fourth and fifth on the list respectively are the Ruby laser at 694 nm and the Alexandrite laser at 755 nm. Both lasers are not recommended by Dr. Jay in treating darker skinned patients. Only very light skin is recommended.
In the end, do plenty of research about the different types of lasers, which ones have FDA approval, which facilities are operating within FDA guidelines, etc. An informed decision is a good decision.
James, Andrea. Hair Removal Methods: Laser Hair Removal Overview." Hairfacts.com. August 21, 2001. Stephen Barrett, MD. Quackwatch.org. Updated September 23, 2006. September 27, 2006.
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopic s/Hair/lasermain.html
James, Andrea. Hair Removal Methods: Laser History and Current Issues." Hairfacts.com. August 21, 2001. Stephen Barrett, MD. Quackwatch.org. Updated September 23, 2006. September 25, 2006. http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/ Hair/laserhistory.html
CDRH Consumer Information. "Laser Facts." Center for Devices and Radiological Health. May 17, 2002. Food and Drug Administration. September 26, 2006. http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/laserfacts.html
Jay, Harvey H. "5 Methods of Hair Removal." Laser Hair Removal Review. October 20, 2003. Copyright 2003. Harvey H. Jay, M.D. September 26, 2006. http://www.laserhairremovalreview.com/5methods.htm l
Featured Laser Hair Removal Products:
